Clarkson finally cleared to play for Gilas

MANILA — Just two days after making an initial decision not to allow Jordan Clarkson to play in the 2018 Asian Games, the NBA made a 360-degree turn.

The league, as per Philippine team chef de mission Richard Gomez, finally gave the Cleveland Cavaliers guard the go-signal to play for Gilas Pilipinas.

The actor and former champion athlete, who is also the current mayor of Ormoc, confirmed that the turnaround was a result of a last-minute appeal.

“Nakita rin ng NBA na pinayagan maglaro yung dalawang Chinese NBA players sa Asian Games. So siguro they decided tsaka nag-plea na rin tayo na palaruin si Jordan Clarkson so pumayag sila (Two Chinese players in the NBA were allowed to play in the Asian Games so perhaps they decided to allow Jordan Clarkson to play, too),” said Gomez.

Robert Bachmann, the assistant chef de mission, later confirmed that Clarkson also got the clearance from the Olympic Council of Asia and the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee to be reinstated to the national team lineup.

In a statement, the NBA said it has granted a special exception for some players to play in the Asian Games. Aside from Clarkson, Houston Rockets center Zhou Qi and Dallas Mavericks forward Ding Yanyuhang were also allowed to represent their respective countries.

The NBA’s agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions and associated qualifying tournaments.

NBA players under contract are unable to participate in the Asian Games because it is not one of the competitions included in the agreement.

However, the NBA said due to “lack of clear communication” of the agreement between NBA and Chinese and the Philippines basketball federations, the NBA has agreed to provide the one-time exception.

Now that Clarkson can finally play for Gilas, the next plan is to quickly bring Clarkson to Jakarta, Gomez said.

“Diretso na siya ng Jakarta para makaabot siya sa first game natin laban sa Kazakhstan (He will fly straight to Jakarta so that he could play in the first game against Kazakhstan),” Gomez said.

In his official Facebook page, Clarkson hinted at his participation in the Asiad and said: “PUSO! My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon!”

Clarkson will be the flag bearer for the Philippines in the Asian Games opening ceremonies on August 18, two nights after Gilas begins its bid for a gold against Kazakhstan, Gomez said.